J APPL POULT RES 2007. 16:39-44
© 2007 Poultry Science Association
Evaluation of Illinois Bundleflower (Desmanthus illinoensis) for Broiler Chicks
J. P. Jacob1
Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108
Correspondence: 1 Corresponding author: jacob150{at}umn.edu
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SUMMARY
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Illinois bundleflower (IBF; Desmanthus illinoensis) is a warm-season perennial legume native to the central plains of the United States and has potential as both a forage and grain crop. The objective of this research was to evaluate the potential of IBF seeds as a feed ingredient in broiler starter diets. One-day-old broiler chicks were fed 1 of 4 isocaloric and isonitrogenous experimental diets containing 0, 5, 10, or 15% IBF seed. Illinois Bundleflower seed is a high-protein (31.5% CP) feed ingredient with a Lys:Met similar to that of soybean meal. The TME content of IBF seed depends on the form in which it is fed. When fed ground, the TMEn content was determined to be 1,974 kcal/kg. When fed whole, with supplemental grit, the TMEn content was 1,067 kcal/kg. Inclusion of IBF seed in broiler starter diets had adverse affects on both feed consumption and BW gain, even at a 5% inclusion level. Further studies are required to determine whether IBF seed could be included in diets for older broiler chicks or laying hens.
Key Words: broiler • bundleflower
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DESCRIPTION OF PROBLEM
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Illinois bundleflower (IBF; Desmanthus illinoensis) is a warm-season perennial legume native to the central plains of the United States and has potential as both a forage and grain crop. Illinois bundleflower has the potential to yield significant biomass during the summer slump in cool-season forage growth in the upper Midwest [1]. In addition, greater use of native warm-season legumes and grasses in cropping systems would dramatically reduce environmental degradation caused by the annual cropping systems that currently dominate the Midwest. Illinois bundleflower seeds have almost double the anti-oxidant activity of wheat bran, one of the highest known sources of antioxidants, and 3 to 35 times greater activity than other sources such as vegetables, fresh fruit, dried berries, and whole grains [2].
Many organic poultry producers are also targeting niche markets, in particular those looking for 
-3-enriched foods. Eggs enriched with -3 are already on the market, and many are looking at ways of producing -3-enriched chicken. In the Midwest, -3 supplementation is achieved primarily through the inclusion of flax seed. The problem with -3 enrichment, however, is the tendency for oxidation and rancidity within the final product. The antioxidant activity of IBF seeds may act to stabilize the higher polyunsaturated content of the -3-enriched egg or chicken.
The objective of this research was to evaluate the potential of IBF as a feed ingredient in broiler starter diets.
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MATERIALS AND METHODS
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This research was conducted at the University of Minnesota’s Poultry Teaching and Research Facility on the St. Paul campus with approval by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, which oversees research with animal subjects at university facilities.
Nutrient Content
Dry matter, CP, amino acid profile, crude fat, and fatty acid profile of IBF seeds were determined using standard procedures. Crude protein was determined using a Leco FP428 Nitrogen Analyzer [3]. Crude fat was determined by EE. Amino acid and fatty acid profiles were determined by the University of Missouri–Columbia Experiment Station Chemical Laboratories.
True ME content of IBF seeds was determined using the method developed by Sibbald [4]. Mature Single Comb White Leghorn roosters [5] were used. Illinois bundleflower seed looks very much like flax seed, which has a very hard coat that resists digestion in the chicken digestive tract. Illinois bundleflower seed was found to have the same problem in that the majority of whole seeds consumed pass through the chicken’s gastrointestinal tract undigested. Although grinding the seed may resolve this problem, grinding such a fine seed is usually not an option for organic feed mills. Most organically raised chickens, however, are raised outdoors with access to grit. True ME determinations, therefore, were done with whole seeds plus grit and ground seeds to compare the energy availability for the 2 feeding options (i.e., grinding or use of grit). Crushed granite, size 1, was used as the grit.
For the TME determinations, the roosters were fasted for 24 h with water available ad libitum. For each test sample, 8 roosters were intubated with 30 g of IBF seed. Eight roosters received no feed and served as the negative controls. The manure excreted over the next 48 h was collected from all the roosters, frozen, and freeze-dried. The samples were then ground and DM, N, and gross energy for all excreta and test samples were determined so that N-adjusted TME could be calculated.
The determined nutrient content, as well as the TME determinations, were used in the formulation of the diets.
Feeding Trial
Diet Formulations.
There were 4 isocaloric and isonitrogenous experimental diets that varied in the level of IBF seed inclusion—0, 5, 10, and 15%. The diets were corn and soybean meal-based. Addition of IBF seed to the diet resulted in a reduction in the inclusion level of corn. The diet formulations and calculated analyses are shown in Table 1
. The IBF seed was added to the diets in the ground form.
Birds and Housing.
A total of 320 one-day-old male Cornish Rock broiler chicks [6] were purchased from a local hatchery and reared in Petersime battery brooder cages for 4 wk. Each half of a battery level represented 1 replication and housed 10 chicks. There were 8 replications for each of the 4 dietary treatments. Feed and water were available ad libitum, and the chicks were provided with 24 h of light daily. The chicks were individually weighed weekly, and average BW was calculated for each pen. Feed consumption was also recorded weekly, on a pen basis. Mortality was recorded as it occurred.
Statistical Analyses.
Weekly BW were analyzed using individual BW. Body weight gain, feed consumption, and feed efficiency data were analyzed on a weekly basis, with pen means serving as the experimental unit. A completely randomized design was used. Tukey’s test was used to determine differences between means. Linear regression and polynomial contrasts were done for BW gain and feed efficiency data. All data were analyzed using Statistix 8.0 software [7].
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RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
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Nutrient Content.
The results of the nutrient analyses of the IBF seed are shown in Table 2. For comparison, the values for soybean meal and flax seed are shown. The values for the solvent extract soybean meal were obtained from the NRC [8], whereas the values for the flax seed are averages from samples I collected [9].
Although IBF seed visually resembles flax seed, the 2 seeds differ significantly in CP content. Flax seed was originally added to organic layer diets to increase the -3 content of the eggs produced. With the increased cost of organic soybean meal, flax seed is often used as a protein source. The flax seed samples averaged 18.2% CP, whereas the CP content of IBF seed was 31.5%. The 2 main limiting amino acids in poultry diets are Met and Lys. The Met contents of flax seed and IBF seed are similar, 0.37%. The Lys content of IBF seed, however, is more than double that of flax (1.69 vs. 0.63%).
Formulation of isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets with increasing inclusion of IBF resulted in a reduction in soybean meal inclusion. The protein content of IBF is lower than that of soybean meal (31.5 vs. 44.0%). Although the Met and Lys content of IBF is lower than that of soybean meal, the Lys:Met are similar (4.57 vs. 4.34).
As previously indicated, flax seed has been added to layer diets to increase -3 content of the eggs produced. Flax seed has higher oil content than IBF seed (23.5 vs. 2.5%). Flax seed is high in oleic (18:1 -9), linoleic (18:2 -6), and linolenic (18:3 -3) acids. Additionally, flax has low levels of eiocosapentaenoic (20:5 -3), docosapentaenoic (22:5 -3), and docosahexaenoic (22:6 -3) acids, which are essential fatty acids shown to be important for animal health and development [10].
The major fatty acids of IBF seed are palmitic (16:0), oleic (18:1 -9), and linoleic (18:2-6). The main -3 fatty acid is linolenic acid (18:3 -3), the only -3 fatty acid present in any significant quantity. The level of linolenic acid in IBF seed is higher than that of soybean meal, but less than that of flax seed.
The TMEn content of IBF seed is shown in Table 3. As indicated previously, IBF seed has a hard coat that is resistant to digestion. To overcome this problem, TME determinations were done with ground seeds. Grinding such a fine seed may not be an option for organic feed mills. Most organically raised chickens, however, are raised outdoors with access to grit. True ME determinations were also done on whole IBF seeds, and the roosters were provided with grit before and during the intubation and excreta collection. Grinding the seeds appears to be the most efficient method for improving digestion of the seed with a TMEn of 1,974 kcal/kg. When whole seed plus grit was fed, the TMEn was only 1,067 kcal/kg. This will have important implications for the use of IBF seed in organic poultry diets, because many feed mills do not have the capability to grind fine seeds such as IBF or flax. Flax is commonly added to organic diets as whole seeds, and the feeding of grit is strongly recommended, remembering that chickens foraging outside have a natural source of grit. The feeding of grit, however, does not appear to be sufficient to allow the chicks to obtain all the available nutrients, especially energy, in IBF seed.
Feeding Trial.
Average weekly BW gains are shown in Table 4. Addition of IBF seed to the diet adversely affected the BW gain of the broiler chicks, with statistically significant differences noted as early as the first week of age. The depression in BW gain continued through to the end of the trial at 4 wk of age. Linear regression and polynomial contrasts were done to evaluate the level at which the largest drop in productivity was observed. In the first week, the largest drop in BW gain occurred when 5% IBF seed was added to the diet with a significant (P < 0.05) quadratic effect observed. For the other weeks, as well as overall BW gain, only a significant (P < 0.05) linear effect was noted.
The reduction in BW gain was attributable, at least in part, to reduced feed intake. Tables 5 and 6 show average weekly feed consumption and average feed conversion ratios. Feed intake during the first week was depressed by inclusion of IBF seed in the diet, although it was only statistically significant for the broilers on the 10 and 15% IBF inclusion. In the second and third weeks, feed intake was significantly reduced for all the broilers on diets containing any level of IBF seed. Polynomial contrasts indicated that there was a significant (P < 0.05) linear effect.
The results obtained in this study are similar to those observed in recent studies with growing pigs. In a study evaluating the potential of IBF seed as a protein feed ingredient for starter and grower pigs, digestibility was adversely affected by inclusion rates of greater than 5% [11]. When IBF seed was included at more than 5% in the diets of early-weaned male pigs (25% Landrace x 25% Large White x 50% Duroc weaned at 18 d of age), average daily gain and feed consumption were reduced for the first 2 wk. However, by the end of wk 4, average daily gain was not influenced by supplementation with IBF [12]. It is possible that IBF can be included in broiler grower diets (after 3 to 4 wk of age) or in diets for laying hens. Further studies are required.
Chicks fed the IBF-supplemented diets were observed to have a higher incidence of pasty cloaca but, because it was not expected, the incidence levels were not measured. In any future studies, such observations should be recorded. It is not clear what caused the pasty cloaca.
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CONCLUSIONS AND APPLICATIONS
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- Illinois bundleflower seed is a high-protein (31.5% CP) feed ingredient with Lys:Met similar to soybean meal.
- The TME of IBF seed depends on the form in which it is fed. When fed ground, the TMEn content was 1,974 kcal/kg. When fed whole and supplemental grit given, the TMEn content was 1,067 kcal/kg.
- Inclusion of IBF seed in broiler starter diets had adverse effects on feed consumption, BW gain, and feed conversion, even at a 5% inclusion level. Further studies are required to determine whether IBF seed could be included in diets for older broiler chicks or laying hens.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
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This research was funded by the University of Minnesota’s College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences’ Rapid Agricultural Respond Fund and a grant from USDA-CSREES.
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REFERENCES AND NOTES
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- Fischbach, J. A., P. R. Peterson, C. C. Sheaffer, N. J. Ehlke, J. Byun, and D. L. Wyse. 2005. Illinois Bundleflower forage potential in the Upper Midwestern USA: I. Yield, regrowth, and persistence. Agron. J. 97:886–894.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Fulcher, F. G. 2005. University of Minnesota, St. Paul. Personal communication.
- Leco Corp., St. Joseph, MI.
- Sibbald, I. R. 1986. The T.M.E system of feed evaluation: Methodology, feed composition data and bibliography. Agric. Can. Tech. Bull. 1986-4E.
- Hy-Line North America LLC, Spencer, IA.
- Welp Inc., Bancroft, IA.
- Analytical Software, Tallahassee, FL.
- National Research Council. 1994. Nutrient Requirements of Poultry. 9th rev. ed. Natl. Acad. Press, Washington, DC.
- Jacob, J. P. 2005. Personal communication.
- Ho, C. 2003. The benefits of omega 3 fatty acids found in seal oil, as opposed to fish and flaxseed oils. http://www.omega3sealoil.com/Accessed Jun. 2006.
- Baidoo, S. K., and Q. M. Yang. 2005. Southern Research and Outreach Center, University of Minnesota, Waseca, MN. Personal communication.
- Baidoo, S. K., Q. M. Yang, and G. F. He. 2005. Southern Research and Outreach Center, University of Minnesota, Waseca, MN. Personal communication.
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SUMMARY
DESCRIPTION OF PROBLEM
